Ryan Crouser, Shericka Jackson, Grant Holloway and Mutaz Barshim (© AFP / Getty Images)
World champions Shericka Jackson, Grant Holloway, Ryan Crouser and Mutaz Barshim are the latest stars to join a world-class line-up for the Wanda Diamond League meeting in London on Sunday 23 July.
Jackson will join the already announced Dina Asher-Smith in the women’s 100m which is set to be one of the highlights of the meeting. The Jamaican sped to a 10.82 clocking in Kingston last month, then went on to finish second at the Diamond League opener in Doha.
The 28-year-old earned world silver over 100m in Eugene last summer, then moved to sixth on the world all-time list for that event when she recorded 10.71 at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco. She also sits second on the world all-time list for 200m with the 21.45 she ran to win the world title in that event last year.
“I am excited to be competing back in London, and for the first time over 100m in this stadium,” said the five-time Olympic medallist. “Last time I ran there (2019), I won the 400m so I have good memories of racing on that track.
Holloway, the world indoor champion and world record-holder over 60m hurdles, is the second-fastest 110m hurdler of all time with a best of 12.81. Holloway’s victory at the World Championships in Oregon made him the first man to capture back-to-back world titles in the 100m hurdles for almost 20 years.
“This will be my first time competing in London and it means a lot as I build towards another World Championships,” said Holloway, who has clocked 13.01, 13.03 and 13.05 already this year. “There have been some incredible performances in the stadium over the years. I was only 14 during the 2012 Olympics but I still remember Aries Merritt winning the hurdles gold.”
Along with being the world champion, US shot putter Crouser is a two-time Olympic gold medallist. He also holds the world records, indoors and out. This will be his first time competing in the London Stadium since the 2017 World Championships.
“The Diamond League events always bring a strong competition, so I look forward to being part of a great show with my fellow shot putters,” he said.
Barshim is another world and Olympic champion who’ll be in London. The Qatari high jumper won his first world title in the British capital in 2017, then went on to add two more world gold medals to his collection in Doha (2019) and Oregon (2022).
“London, where I won my first World Championships title, is always close to my heart,” said the 31-year-old. “I know I’ve achieved a lot, but I’m still chasing and aiming for more. Competing in London is the perfect preparation for Budapest where I’m aiming to win my fourth world title.”
